What makes a Limoges box so desirable to collectors and gift shoppers is the fact that each porcelain Limoges box is individually hand-crafted and hand-painted.
Every hand-painted French porcelain Limoges box must have the markings “Peint Main” (meaning hand-painted) and “Limoges, France” in its insignia to be considered authentic. There are a much smaller number of Limoges boxes made with hand-applied transfers. Such boxes are marked as "Rehausee Main". As you may imagine, these Limoges boxes are normally valued much less than those painted by hand.
Painting on porcelain is a highly esteemed art form in France. Porcelain painting on Limoges boxes is only performed by a very select group of French artisans who have mastered this miniature art form. It takes exceptional talent and years of experience for French artisans to produce these impressive and beautiful miniature art pieces for collectors to enjoy.
French Porcelain Limoges Boxes
Porcelain Limoges boxes are a world-famous symbol of French artistry. The art form of hand-painting porcelain in the tradition of old has been kept alive by a select group of exceptionally skilled French artisans in the Limoges region of France. The French artists continue to produce these magnificent porcelain boxes today in small workshops and factories in the Limoges region.
These beautiful miniature art pieces are highly collectible around the world and are greatly desired by collectors and art enthusiasts worldwide.
Limoges Boxes Are Unique
Painting Limoges boxes is a very niche and specialized art form. Each porcelain artist has his or her own style of painting and level of expertise. Each batch of Limoges boxes painted by the artist require numerous man-hours, including mixing colors from pigment powder and painting each color separately and firing numerous times under various temperatures. As a result, each Limoges box is a unique work of art in brush strokes and has its own character and color variations.
How Limoges Boxes Are Hand-Painted
Painting on porcelain requires a great deal of talent as well as experience. Especially, painting detailed designs on a miniature porcelain piece needs great precision and skill by the artist.
The artist starts with a blank section of a porcelain Limoges box. First he or she draws some of the basic lines on select sections of the Limoges piece to designate where different colors will be added. The paint colors are then chosen in order of firing temperature. The paint pigments that require a higher temperature are painted first and then fired in the kiln. The lower temperature colors are then added one by one and the Limoges goes into multiple firings with each color added. Once the painting of the porcelain is completed, the Limoges pieces are glazed and fired again in the kiln. As a result, the Limoges box is fired numerous times to achieve its brilliant coloring and luster.
To learn more about how a Limoges box is created see About Limoges Boxes.
Those who have witnessed the process of the creation of porcelain Limoges boxes and the hand-painted artistry of the French artisans, can truly appreciate the immense skillfulness and originality of these magnificent miniature art pieces. That is what makes collecting Limoges boxes such a delight and loved by so many collectors worldwide.
Buying an authentic hand-painted French Limoges box must be done from a trusted and expert dealer as there are many look-alike counterfeit pieces offered on the marketplace today.
At LimogesCollector.com, we pride ourselves in offering a magnificent selection of authentic hand-painted French Limoges boxes imported directly from the workshops and artisans in Limoges, France. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff are always ready to assist you in choosing just the perfect Limoges pieces you desire. You can be sure to receive an exceptional hand-painted French Limoges box to add to your collection or to give a very impressive gift.
Take a moment to browse our extensive selection of fine French porcelain Limoges boxes in every style and theme and for every occasion. You are sure to find just the perfect piece you are looking for.
